Questions from Insights Secure Repeated Directly or Indirectly in UPSC IAS Mains 2015 General Studies Paper – 1
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Questions from GS-1 Paper (Mains 2015) and Links to Secure Questions and Current Events posted on Insights
- The ancient civilization in Indian sub continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without breakdown to the present day. Comment.
(Not covered on Insights website)
- Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the times but also a fine aesthetic sense comparable to modern painting. Critically evaluate this comment.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/03/31/2-examine-the-salient-features-of-mesolithic-and-chalcolithic-cave-paintings-of-india-also-examine-what-could-have-been-the-reasons-for-depicting-more-animal-figures-than-human-figures-in-cave-pain/
- How difficult would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi? Discuss.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/08/04/5-in-what-way-did-mahatma-gandhi-transform-the-nature-of-the-national-movement-critically-discuss/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/04/02/7-mahatma-gandhi-said-the-ultimate-solution-for-fighting-poverty-in-india-was-not-mass-production-but-production-by-the-masses-considering-large-number-of-unemployed-people-in-rural-regions-and-a-go/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/01/08/2-discuss-the-events-and-other-factors-that-transformed-mohandas-gandhi-into-mahatma-gandhi-in-south-africa/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/11/14/2-critically-analyse-gandhijis-thoughts-on-untouchability-and-untouchables/
- Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B R Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/04/18/2-critically-analyse-how-did-ambedkar-and-gandhiji-view-and-address-the-issue-of-untouchability/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/05/02/1-critically-assess-the-legacy-of-babasaheb-ambedkar-especially-in-the-context-of-the-efforts-by-mainstream-political-parties-to-appropriate-him/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/08/31/1-critically-compare-and-contrast-the-views-of-ram-manohar-lohia-and-dr-ambedkar-on-caste-system-and-strategies-to-end-caste-discrimination-in-the-indian-society/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/12/03/3-articles-17-23-24-constitution-said-great-gifts-babasaheb-ambedkar-said-implementing-articles-true-spirit-will-great-gift-125t/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/04/14/1-ambedkar-was-one-of-modern-indias-first-great-economic-thinkers-its-constitutional-draftsman-and-its-first-law-minister-who-ensured-the-codification-of-hindu-law-elaborate/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/10/23/2-why-do-you-think-the-social-vulnerability-of-dalits-even-decades-after-reservation-and-dedicated-laws-meant-to-uplift-and-empower-them-were-put-in-place-has-increased-critically-comment/
- It would have been difficult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task of drafting the Constitution for Independent India in just three years, but its experience gained with the Government of India Act, 1935 .Discuss.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/01/08/3-examine-what-historical-forces-shaped-the-vision-of-the-indian-constitution/
- Why did the industrial revolution first occur in England? Discuss the quality of life of the people there during the industrialization. How does it compare with that in India at present times?
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2014/12/24/was-industrial-revolution-truly-a-revolution-also-comment-on-the-connection-between-the-industrial-revolution-in-england-and-the-french-revolution-in-france/
- To what extend can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/09/07/q10-one-of-the-primary-causes-of-world-war-ii-was-the-rise-of-adolph-hitler-in-germany-examine-the-factors-that-led-to-his-rise-to-prominence-in-germany/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/11/29/15-discuss-why-nazism-became-popular-in-germany-by-1930-and-in-what-ways-did-the-nazi-state-seek-to-establish-total-control-over-its-people/
- Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative significance in building a national identity.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/10/20/1-in-your-opinion-what-are-the-traits-of-indian-culture-do-you-think-indian-culture-is-under-threat-today-if-yes-critically-comment-on-the-forces-that-are-threatening-it/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/01/26/9-some-believe-that-the-high-level-of-corruption-levels-in-the-country-can-be-traced-back-to-certain-elements-in-indian-culture-critically-analyse/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/03/19/2-what-are-the-tangible-and-intangible-cultural-heritage-of-india-write-a-critical-note-on-the-institutional-mechanism-that-exists-to-protect-and-propagate-these-cultural-heritages/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/03/01/insights-essay-challenge-2015-week-9/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/12/11/9-impact-culture-ethics-ethics-subject-cultural-differences-examine/
- Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is the mains cause of population increase in India.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/08/03/2-critically-analyse-the-highlights-of-findings-of-the-recent-u-n-s-world-population-projections-report-and-its-implications-for-india-and-the-world/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/10/21/1-compare-and-analyse-poverty-estimation-made-by-world-bank-for-indian-population-with-that-of-estimations-made-by-various-committees-in-india/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/08/11/1-analyse-the-interrelationship-between-poverty-and-migration-in-india/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2014/11/10/poverty-line-india-meaning-concept-evolution/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/09/02/the-big-picture-census-religion-data-what-do-the-trends-indicate/
- How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes in India is more favourable to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes?
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/11/24/1-analyse-trends-sex-ratio-india-impact-socio-economic-development-country-200-words/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/01/30/2-poverty-is-clearly-not-a-reason-for-falling-sex-ratio-elucidate/
- Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the last four decades.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/09/28/1-is-large-scale-labour-migration-good-or-bad-for-global-economic-welfare-discuss-with-suitable-examples/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/02/02/3-discuss-the-spatial-pattern-of-intra-regional-migration-in-india-and-examine-its-implications-in-regional-development/
- Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India?
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/07/07/1-critically-analyse-the-changing-role-of-women-in-indian-society-and-the-influence-of-globalisation-on-their-decision-making-powers/
Critically comment on the effect of globalisation on working women in India. (200 Words)
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/06/27/2-critically-examine-how-globalisation-has-affected-various-sections-of-an-urban-society-in-india-also-compare-and-contrast-them-based-on-your-own-observation-and-experiences/
- Debate the issue whether and how contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit identity work towards annihilation of caste.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/10/23/2-why-do-you-think-the-social-vulnerability-of-dalits-even-decades-after-reservation-and-dedicated-laws-meant-to-uplift-and-empower-them-were-put-in-place-has-increased-critically-comment/
How did post – independent India try to address discrimination based on caste which was more prevalent at that time.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/10/21/insights-daily-debates-day-63-are-dalits-safe-in-india/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/10/22/the-big-picture-checking-atrocities-against-dalits/
- Explain the factors responsible for the origin of ocean currents. How do they influence regional climates, fishing and navigation?
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/06/19/2-the-movement-of-ocean-currents-follow-certain-pattern-around-the-globe-examine-the-factors-which-determine-these-movements/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/01/22/2-temperature-salinity-and-density-differences-in-ocean-water-are-the-prime-causes-of-ocean-water-circulation-elaborate/
- Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three Mega cities of the country but the air pollution is much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so?
Delhi is considered as one of the most polluted cities in the world. Critically discuss the causes of pollution in Delhi and other metros in India, measures taken to reduce their pollution and scientific basis of these measures.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/01/20/loksabha-tv-insights-air-pollution-in-delhi/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/11/10/1-the-causes-sources-and-impact-of-air-quality-issues-are-interconnected-and-they-need-to-be-addressed-together-in-the-light-of-increasing-air-pollution-in-delhi-and-other-big-cities-in-india/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/12/02/6-growing-body-research-reveals-air-pollution-not-affects-asthma-lung-disease-also-results-life-threatening-diseases-among-healthy-population-efforts/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/11/10/insights-into-editorial-clearing-the-air-pollution-in-india-mindmaps-on-issues/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/12/10/indias-has-developed-a-colour-coded-air-quality-index-that-helps-citizens-look-up-the-air-quality-at-a-monitoring-station-near-them-analyze-the-components-of-this-index-and-examine-its-utili/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/12/05/5-discuss-feasible-measures-urgently-needed-implemented-indian-cities-curb-worsening-air-pollution/
- India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water scarcity.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/01/01/2-what-do-you-understand-by-water-scarcity-critically-discuss-the-problem-of-water-scarcity-in-india-and-its-causes/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/05/25/2-a-new-study-has-found-that-india-is-set-to-become-water-scarce-country-by-2025-due-to-demand-supply-mis-match-analyse-why-there-is-demand-supply-mismatch-and-what-measures-are-needed-to-address/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/09/08/8-despite-not-being-a-water-short-country-india-is-facing-several-challenges-when-it-comes-to-conserve-water-for-irrigation-purposes-examine-these-challenges-and-suggest-the-measures-needed-to-cons/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/04/28/3-the-rapid-growth-of-population-and-its-growing-needs-has-meant-that-per-capita-availability-of-fresh-water-has-declined-sharply-over-the-past-50-years-in-india-critically-discuss-the-magnitude-of/
- The states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are reaching the limits of ecological carrying capacity due to tourism. Critically evaluate.
In India, many pilgrimage sites are located at ecologically sensitive regions and it is said that allowing tourism or pilgrimage in these regions poses threat to ecology there. Do you think governments should ban religious and tourism activities in these regions? Critically comment. If you are asked for a solution, what would be your suggestions? Justify.
Critically discuss with suitable examples the need for developing sustainable tourism criteria in the country in the light of increasing pollution of ecologically sensitive regions due to tourist and cultural activities.
Rivers in India are worshipped as holy places by millions of pilgrims. But due to certain rituals and practices, pilgrimages have become on of the major causes of river pollution in India. Write a critical note on this issue.
- How far do you agree that the behaviour of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to humanizing landscape? Discuss.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/10/15/discuss-how-would-climate-change-is-said-to-affect-indian-monsoon-in-coming-days/
- Smart cities in India cannot sustain without smart villages. Discuss this statement in the backdrop of rural urban integration.
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2014/11/16/insights-weekly-essay-writing-challenge-week-thirty-three/ (India Needs Smart Villages, Not Smart Cities – Critically Comment)
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/03/19/1-smart-cities-need-to-be-designed-keeping-in-mind-our-biggest-objectives-sustainable-inclusive-development-and-social-transformation-critically-examine-if-the-governments-smart-city-pro/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/09/03/2-analyse-the-the-correlation-between-urbanisation-and-economic-development-do-you-think-the-smart-city-initiative-in-its-present-form-would-also-help-in-economic-development-discuss/
- What are the economic significance of discovery of oil in Arctic Sea and its possible environmental consequences?
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/09/11/q15-the-fight-to-tap-arctic-resources-is-heating-up-around-the-world-especially-in-the-bordering-countries-do-you-think-india-should-invest-its-money-and-energy-in-arctic-oil-and-other-arctic-resou/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2015/07/18/2-critically-examine-the-potential-impact-of-exploring-oil-natural-gas-minerals-and-fish-under-the-melting-arctic-ice-and-comment-if-it-worth-to-explore-natural-resources-in-the-arctic-region/
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2013/12/28/arctic-council-and-india-issues/
